Electrically-controlled meter system.



J. W. LATTIG & C. L. GOODRUM.

ELECTRICALLY CONTROLLED METER SYSTEM. APP'LICATION FILED SEPT.20, 1915.

1,172,539, Patented Feb. 22,1916.

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ELECTRICALLY CONTROLLED METER SYSTEM.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 20. 1915.

1,172,539. Patented Feb. 22,1916.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JACOB W. LATTIG, OF GLENSIDE, PENNSYLVANIA, AND CHARLES L. GOODRUM, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNORS, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO WESTERN PANY, INCORPORATED, A' COBPORATION OF NEW YORK.

ELECTRIC COM- ELECTRICALLY-CONTROLLED METER SYSTEM.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. .22, 1916.

Original application filed August 29, 1804, Serial No. 222,657. Divided and this application filed September 20, 1915. Serial No. 51,615. a

To all whom it may concern:

' Be it known that we, JACOB W. LATTIG and CHARLES L. GoooRUM, citizens of the United States, residing at Glenside, 1n the county of Montgomery and State of Pennsylvania, and at New York, in the county of acter referred to, adapted for controlling message registers or coin collectors in automatic telephone systems.

This application is a division of application, Serial No. 222,657, filed August 29, 1904.

One object of this invention is to provide a metering system for an automatic telephone system, wherein an electromagnetic charging means, such as a call register or coin collector associated with each line, is automatically operated when the called subscriber answers, due to a reversal in the direction of the flow of the current in the limb of the calling subscribers line containing the electromagnetic charging means.

Another object of this invention resides in means whereby the electromagnetic charging means will not be operated if the called subscriber is one of a number of free sub scribers. A free subscriber is one who may be called without charge, such as officials of the telephone company, the police department, the fire department, etc.

A further object of this invention is to provide a meter for each line which will register the number of the incoming calls rethat it will or will not operate a magnetic charging means associated with the calling subscribers line, depending upon whether or not the called subscriber is one to whom service is to be charged, or whether he is a free subscriber.

The metering of incoming calls 1s accomplished bya register which 18 inserted in the multiple connection to the connector switch. This meter will therefore be operated when- I ever a successful call is made over the connector terminals, and as all incoming calls must pass through the connector switch, such calls will be recorded on the meter of the associated line.

The metering system is shown as applied to an automatic system using switches of the Strowger type, and it will be quite obviousthat anyone skilled in the art could readily adapt this system to any of the other types of well-known automatic switches. The system has been illustrated in connection with a selector switch and a connector switch, but

it will be quite evident that intermediate selector switches can be'very readily inserted in the system without affecting the operation thereof. The general operation of an automatic system using Strowger switches is old in the art and well known, and the description herein will therefore be restricted to a very brief outline of -the general operation of this system emphasizing the features appertaining to the metering or registering schemes.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which Figure 1 shows the calling subscribers line and its associated selector switch, and Fig. 2 illustrates the connector switch associated with the called subscriber.

The invention can be best explained and understood by the following description of the operation of the system.

A calling subscriber desiring to make a connection will remove his receiver from the switchhook and operate his calling transmitter for the hundreds digit in the number of the called subscriber desired It will be assumed for convenience in description that the number of the subscriber desired is 856. The calling subscriber having operated his calling transmitter for the numeral 8 will thereby place eight successive grounds on the vertical side of the line. These grounds will complete a circuit from the ground shown at the impulse transmitter of the calling subscribers station to the vertical side of the line through the parallel circuit containing the non-inductive resistance 25 and the polarized register 26, line Wire 4, the side switch arm 5, vertical relay 6 and through the contacts of relay 7 to battery. Hence the vertical relay 6 will be operated eight successive times and will close the circuit of the vertical magnet a like number of times over a circuit which may be traced from the grounded spring 11, through the armature spring of relay 6 and the armature spring and resting contact of relay 12, and the vertical magnet 13 to battery. The successive energizations of the vertical magnet 13 will elevate the shaft of the selector switch to a position where its wiper contacts 14, 15 and 16 will be in alinement with the multiple contacts 20, 21 and 22 of the connectors serving the subscribers in the eight hundreds group. After the impulse transmitter at the calling subscribers station has transmitted the eight grounded impulses to the vertical side of the line, a single grounded impulse will be transmitted over the rotary side of the line. This circuit may be traced from the ground at the impulse transmitter to the rotary side of th line 24, and the side switch arm 30 and thence through the rotary relay 31 and the contacts of relay 7 to battery. The subsequent operation of the rotary relay 31 will close a circuit from the grounded spring 11 by way of the armature spring of the rotary relay, through the private magnet 12 to battery. This will cause the operation of private magnet 12. and this in the wellknown manner will move the side switch arms 30. 34 and 35 into their second position. In this position of the side switch a circuit is closed from ground, through the side switch arm 34 and the rotary magnet 36 to battery. The operation of the rotary magnet 36 moves the Wiper contacts 14, 15 and 16 over the multiple contacts 20, 21 and 22, and likewise, upon each operation, interrupts its own, circuit. When the contact wiper 16 rests upon a multiple contact 22 which is busy, that is, one which has been connected to the contact wiper 16 of some other selector circuit, this contact will be grounded and a circuit will be established from the ground on the contact 22, contact wiper 16 through the relay 38, the side switch arm 35 and the private relay 12 to battery. This will maintain privaterelay 12 in its energized position until a nongrounded, non-busy contact 22 is found, at which time the private relay 12 will be deenergized and the side switch will move into its 3rd position, extending the calling subscribers line to the connector switch, shown in Fig. 2. The calling subscriber will now operate his impulse transmitter so as to send five grounded impulses over the vertical side of the line so as to raise the connector shaft to the fifth level of the selector contact bank, which contains the desired called subscribers number856. These five grounded impulses will flow over the vertical side of the line to the contact wiper 14 associated with the selector switch and connected to the multiple contact 20 connected to a trunk which extends to the connector switch, and thence over the vertical side of the line 40 at the connector switch through the vertical relay 41 and contacts 1, 2 and 3 of relay 42 to battery. The subsequent five encrgizations of the vertical relay 41 will close a circuit from the grounded spring 44, through the spring of the vertical relay, the contacts 45 and 46 of the private magnet 47, through the side switch contact arm 50 and the vertical magnet 56 to battery. These impulses will raise the shaft of the connector switch so that the contact wipers 60, 61 and 62 will be raised in alincmcnt with the contacts 64. 65 and 66 of the fifth bank of the connector switch. which bank contacts include the connector terminals of the desired subscriber X0. 856. Immediately after the five grounded impulses have been sent over the vertical side of the line. a single grounded impulse will be transmitted over the rotary side of the line. The circuit for this impulse over the rotary side of the line may be traced from the ground at the subscribers station to the rotary line 24, the

side switch arm 30, contact wiper 15, contact 21, the rotary relay 68, spring 69 of the ringing relay 70, and the springs 2 and 3 of the relay 42 to battery. This will operate the rotary relay 68. thereby closing a circuit from the grounded spring 44, through the spring of the rotarv relay and the private magnet 47 to battery. The subsequent operation of the private magnet 47 will move the side switch of the connnector switch into its second position. The calling subscriber will now send impulses equal to the units digit of the number of the desired subscribers line.

As previously assumed the number of the desired subscriber is 856. and consequently the calling subscriber will send six impulses over the vertical side of the line which will cause six operations of the vertical relay 41 over the circuit just described. However, since the single grounded impulse. which was sent over the rotary side of the line, moved the side switch of the connector into its second position, the operation of the vertical relay in this case will close a circuit that may be traced from the grounded spring 44, through the spring of the vertical relay, the springs 45 and 46 of the private magnet 47, the side switch arm 50 and the rotary magnet 71, to battery. The rotary magnet will therefore be energized six times, and connect the contact wipers 60, 61 and 62 to the contacts 64, 65 and 66 of the desired subscribers line, No. 856. After the six impulses have been sent over the vertical side of the line, a single impulse will be transmitted over the rotary side of the line which will operate the rotary relay 68, and this in turn will operate the private magnet 47 in a manner similar to that described in connection with the grounded impulse, which was transmitted over the rotary side of the line directly after the first set of impulses were transmitted to the connector switch. If this subscribers line is busy the multiple conta ts 66 of this line will be grounded -andacircuit will be closed from this ground through the side switch arm 53, the springs 74 and 75 of the private relay 47, and the release relay 76 to battery. Consequently, before the private magnet is deenergized the release magnet 76 is operated and the vertical shaft and the side switch of the connector are returned to normal. Hence when the calling subscriber attempts to ring the desired subscriber by depressing his ringing key 80, he will complete a circuit which may be traced from the ground at the subscribers station, through the resistance coil 81, the main spring and make contact of the ringing key to the vertical side of the line, through the parallel circuit containing the non-inductive resistance 25 and the register 26, to the vertical line 4, side switch arm 5, contact wiper 14, multiple contact 20, line 40 and through the vertical relay 41 to the contacts 1 and 3 of the relay 42 to battery. the vertical relay 41, and as the connector switch has been returned to normal the operation of this relay, as previously described, will energize the vertical magnet and elevate the vertical shaft of the connector switch one step. When the vertical shaft of the connector switch has thus been displaced from normal, a circuit will be completed from ground, through winding 84 of the busyback transformer, condenser 85, the off-normal contact 86, side switch arm 52, springs 93 and 96 to the rotary side of the line 88, and thence to the contact 21, the switch arm 15, side switch arm 30, line wire 24, through the subscribers loop to the vertical line, the parallel circuit containing resistance 25 and register 26, side switch arm 5, contact wiper 14, contact 20, rotary line wire 40, and thence through the vertical relay 41 and the contacts 1 and 3 of the relay 42 to battery and ground. This will inform the calling subscriber that the party desired is busy and he will hang up his receiver. In hanging up his receiver he will momentarily ground both sides of the line which will simultaneously energize the This will operate,

vertical relay 41 and the rotary relay 68, and this will release the switchesas hereinafter described.

If the desired party is not busy the last; impulse on the rotary side of the line, as

is accomplished by the actuation of the ringing key 80, which, as previously described,

will operate'the vertical relay 41. The operation of this'relay will close -a circuit from the grounded spring 44 to springs 45 and 46 of theprivate magnet 47, side switch arm 50 and theringing relay 70 to battery. The subsequent operationof the ringing relay 70 will connect the ringing generator 91 through springs 92 and 93 to the rotary side of the line, and thence through side switch arm 52, contact wiper 61, contact 65 and the outgoing message register 121 over the line and through the ringer 90 and condenser to ground. The register 121 is so designed that it will not beoperated by the alternating ringing current. This can readily be done by making it sluggish in its operation. This will signal the called subscriber in the regular way, and when he removes his receiver from the switchhook, he will close a circuit from battery through relay 95 tothe verti cal side of the line, springs 98 and 97 side switch arm 51, contact wiper 60 and contact 64 through the subscribers loop to the rotary side of the line to contact 65, contact wiper 61, side switch arm 52, springs 93 and 96. and relay 42 to ground.

Relays 95 and 42 are constructed so as to have the same electrical characteristics. How ver, relay 95 is equipped with a set of springs which make contact when the relay is energized, whereas the springs of relay 42 serve to break contact when it is energized. Consequently. if these relays are simultaneously energized, the springs controlled by the armatures of the relays will affect their operation in such a manner that the springs of relay 42 will break before the circuits of relay 95 make. Conversely, when the relays are simultaneously deenergized, their respective spring combinations will affect the relay operation, so thatthe springs of relay 95 will break before the springs of relay 42 will make. Therefore, the springs 1, 2 and 3 of relay 42 are separated and the connections of relays 41 and 68 arebroken before the relays 100 and 101 and the main battery are bridged across the calling line circuit. In

practice, it might be ditiicult to obtain relays of like electrical characteristics. How ever, notwithstanding this fact and assuming that relay 95 might close its contacts before the relay 42 opens its contacts, the time interval during which the contacts of relays 95 and 42 are both closed'would be of such short duration that a relay or electromagnct included in such circuit will not receive-sutlicient current for its operation. Obviously, if such a condition should arise it could be readily overcome by making relay 95 slightly slow to pull up and release.

It will be noted that the circuit just traced containing relays 42 and 95 is connected to the line wires of the connector circuit on the called side of the condensers 102 and 104. This circuit consequently supplies talking current to the called subscriber. The operation of relay 42 disconnects the battery which is connected to the vertical and rotary relays 41 and 68, respectively, whereas the operation of relay 95 completes a circuit from battery, through relay 100 to springs 105 and 106, and thence to the rotary side of the line, from where this circuit is continued through the subscribers loop, back to the vertical side of the line, and thence through springs 109 and 110 of relay 95 and relay 101 to ground. Talking current is therefore fed to the calling subscriber over the circuit which includes relays 100, 101 and the supply ofthis talking current is controlled by the called subscriber by means of relay The relays 100 and 101, like the relays 42 and 95, are designed with like electrical characteristics, and control respectively a make and a break contact. These two relays function exactly the same as relays 42 and 95, and obviously relay 100 could also be made slightly slow to pull up and release. 'lherefore, when these relays are simultaneously energized, the break contact of relay 101 will open before the contact of relay 100 closes, and thus the release circuit which is controlled by the simultaneous closing of the contacts of these two relays will not become operative at this time.

The talking current supply to the called subscriber flows over the vertical line wire in the opposite direction to which current flows during the transmission of the operating impulses used in setting up the connec- "ti-r-n, as, the positive grounded side of the cftchange battery is connected to the vertical side of the line when the called subscriber answers. The polarized register magnet 26, which is connected in series in the vertical side of the line. is adjusted to operate for current which flows in the direction of the talking current finally supplied to the calling subscriber, and to re-' main inert for current flowing in the opposite direction. The register will therefore not respond to the current impulses transmitted over the vertical side of the line in setting up the connection, but will respond as soon as talking battery is cut back to the calling subscriber, and in that manner will record the connection when the called sub scriber answers. The coin collector 115, diagrammatically shown at the subscribers station, is polarized in the same manner as the call register 26, and will consequently be affected in a manner similar to the call register 26 by current flowing in the vertical limb of the line.

The connection has now been traced to the point where the subscribers are talking, and the successful call has been registered. 'hen the subscribers have completed their conversation and hang up their receivers. the switching apparatus will be returned to normal. If the calling subscriber hangs up his receiver before the called party does. the subscribens loop will be opened at the calling party's station and this will open the circuit containing relays 100 and 101 which will therefore be dei nergized. However, as the subscriber momentarily grounds both sides of the line directly after the subscriber's loop is opened, the relay 100, which is connected from battery to the rotary side of the line, will be momentarily energized and again close its contact. Consequently. as relay 101 is decnergized and relay 100 momentarily energized, a release circuit is closed which may be traced from the ground connected to side switch arm 35 Fig. 1) through the release magnet 38 to the contact wiper 16, thence by means of contact 22. the armature and contact springs of the relay 101 and the armature and contact springs of relay 100, and the release magnet 'Z'Gof the connector switch to battery. Thus, the release magnet 38 of the selector switch, and the release magnet 76 of the connector switch will be operated. and the switching apparatus will be returned to normal. Should the calling subscriber hang up his receiver before the desired called subscriber answers. he will simultaneously energize relays 41' and 68 by the momentary grounding of both sides of the line. The simultaneous operation of these two relays will complete a circuit from battery through the release magnet 76, the contact springs 122 and 123 to the test contact 22, and the contact wiper 16 through the release relay 38 and the side switch arm 35 to ground. The subsequent operation of the release magnets 38 and 76 will restore the connector and selector switches to normal. In case the called subscriber hangs up his receiver before the calling subscriber, the subscribers loop will be opened at the called subscribers station. This will open the circuit containing relays 42 and 95 which will therefore be denergized. However, when the called subscriber simultaneously grounds both sides of the line in hanging up, the relay 95 will be momentarily operated and this will close a circuit from battery, through the release magnet 76, through springs 124 and 125 of relay 42, and springs 126 and 127 of relay 95 to multiple contact 22, contact wiper 16, through the release magnet 38 and the side switch arm 35, to ground. The completing of this circuit will operate the release magnets 38 and '76 and restore the switches to normal.

The manner in which a call is initiated by the calling subscriber and is set up by the switches and extended to the called subscriber, the method of controlling the battery supply to the called and calling subscribers, by the response of the called subscriber, and the immediate operation of the calling message register 26 and the outgoing call register 121, have been described in the foregoing description of the operation of the system. A more detailed consideration of the register features of this system will now be undertaken. It will be noted that ordinarily the negative ungrounded side of the battery is connected to both the vertical and rotary side of the line at the selector and connector switches. The flow of current in the vertical side of the line, when the battery is thus connected, will not operate the polarized message register 26. When a connection has been set up and completed to a desired subscriber, this subscriber will reverse the battery connection to the vertical limb of the line connected to the calling subscriber; that is, the positive grounded side of battery will then be connected to the vertical limb of the line, whereas the negative ungrounded side of battery will still be connected to the rotary side of the line. Consequently as the subscribers loop is closed, current will flow in the vertical limb of the line of the calling end of the circuit in a reverse direction, after the called subscriber has answered, to. that which the current takes during the period in which the connection is being set up. This reverse flow of current will operate the message register 26, and consequently this register will immediately record any and all connections which are successful in reaching the called subscriber.

The coin collector 115, diagrammatically shown at the subscribers station, is polarized the same as the register 26 on the vertical side of the line, and will therefore operate in a similar manner and collect the coin deposited in the register when the called subscriber answers. The battery connection 'to the called end of the circuit is the reverse of that which is connected to the calling end; that is, negative battery is connected to the vertical side of the line, and the grounded positive battery to the rotary side of the line. The current flowing in the called subscribers line will therefore be of such a direction that it will not operate the coin collector 128, diagrammatically shown at the called subscribers station. The current flowing in the called subscribers line will, however, operate'the incoming call register 121, which is not polarized and which will respond to current flowing in either direction in the line. The register 121 will consequently operate whenever a subscriber responds to a call, and will therefore record the number of incoming calls passing over the particular line with which this register is associated. The incoming register 129, shown in Fig. 1, is similar to the register 121 shown in Fig. 2, the former being associated ciated. The incoming registers being connected in the multiple connections to the connector switch are only contained in the connected circuit when the subscribers line, with which the register is associated is the called line, and hence will only record successful incoming connections.

The multiple leads 131 and 132 in Fig. 2 show the multiple connections which are wired to the first selector which is associated with the called subscriber, the vertical lead of which includes a polarized message register similar to register26 shown in the calling line. The outgoing registers beingis erially connected in the multiple leads to the selector switch are not affected by incoming'calls.

Although the message register 26 and the coin collectors 115 and 128 are shown connected directly in serieswith the line circuit, they will not impair the transmission efficiency of the line, since the outgoing registers 26 are shunted by a non-inductive resistance 25 and the coin collectors by a similar resistance.

In a system of this kind, means must be provided to prevent the operation of the outgoing call register 26 when connection is desired with one of a number of free subscribers. This end is readily accomplished in this system by segregating the line terminals of the free subscribersin one or more connector switches in which the battery connections to relays 100 and 101 are reversed.

'In the connector switches which contain and as the register 26 is olarized so as not to operate when current ows in this direction, the call will not be registered.

Obviously, this invention is not limited to the specific embodiment herein shown and described, but is capable of many variations and applications, without departing from its spirit and scope.

What is claimed is:

1. In a telephone system, the combination with automatic switching means of subscribers lines, call register controlling magnets connected in said lines, means to supply current for operating said switching means that will not 0 erate said registers,

and means, controlled 1n finally completing the connection to supply current to operate said register.

2. In a telephone system, the combination with automatic switching means, of subscribers lines, a call register controlling magnet connected in each of said lines, means to supply current for operating said switching means which fiows in a direction that will not operate said register, and means controlled in finally completing the connection to change the current flow in the line to operate said register.

3. In a telephone system, the combination with automatic switching means, of subscribers stations, subscribers line circuits, a call register controlling magnet connected in each line circuit, automatic connective means for the lines comprising circuits and circuit terminals through which current is supplied to the line, and means controlled by a called subscriber in answering a call to change the direction of current supplied to the line of the callin subscriber and thereby operate the latter s register.

4:. In a telephone system, the combination with automatic switchin means, of subscribers lines, a call reglster connected in one limb of each of said lines, means to supply to said switch in the establishment of a connection current flowing in a direction that will not operate said register, and means controlled in finally completing the connection to reverse the current flow in said limb of the line to operate said register.

5. In a telephone system, the combination with automatic switching means, of subscribers lines, a call register controlling magnet connected in each of said lines, means to primarily supply current flowing in a direction that will not operate said register, and means controlled in finally completing the connection to reverse the direction of flow in one limb of the line to operate said register or to reverse the direction of flow in the other limb of said line to prevent the operation of said register.

6. In an automatic telephone system, a central oflice, subscribers stations and metallic circuits interconnecting them, automatic switching apparatus at the central ofiice for interconnecting the subscribers lines, a call register associated with a subscribers line and included in the metallic circuit, a source of current supply, and means under the control of the called sub scriber to supply current to the metallic circuit to operate said register.

1 7 In a telephone exchange system, a central ofiice, subscribers stations and metallic line circuits interconnecting them, automatic switching apparatus at the central ofiice for interconnecting the subscribers lines, a magnetic charging means at the calling subscribers station and another associated with the line at the central oflice, and means to operate said charging means controlled by the called subscriber in the act of completing the connection desired.

8. In a telephone exchange system, a central oflice, subscribers lines leading therefrom, automatic switching means at said ofiice, subscribers stations in said lines, electromagnetic charging means at said stations connected in said lines, and means controlled in the final completion of a connection to supply current overthe calling line to operate said charging means.

9. In a telephone system, the combination with automatic switching means, of subscribers lines, a polarized register connected in and individual to each of said lines, means to supply current for the operation of said automatic switching means which flows in a direction that will not operate said register, and means controlled in finally completing the connection to reverse the direction of current flowing in one limb of the line to operate said register or to, reverse the direction of current flowing in the other limb of said line to prevent the operation of said register.

10. In an automatic telephone system, the combination with a plurality of subscribers lines, of automatic switching means to establish connections between a calling and 11. called subscriber, a polarized register individual to each line and serially connected in one limb thereof, means to supply current for the operation of said switching means which flows in a direction that will not op-l erate said register, and means to supply current to the calling subscriber when the called subscriber answers which flows in a direction 29 operate said register to record the connecion.

11. In a telephone system, the combination with automatic switching means including connector switches to establish connection between a calling and a called subscribers line, electromagnetic charging means associated with each of said line's, means to operate said charging means when the called subscriber answers, and a group of said subscribers lines, said lines terminating in connector switches provided with means for preventing the operation of said charging means.

12. In a telephone system, a plurality of subscribers lines, means to establish a connection between a calling and a called sub-' scriber, electromagnetic char g means adapted to be operated after t e establishment of said connection, a segregated group ofsubscribers lines, and means to prevent the actuation of said charging means when a call is extended toa subscriber in said group. y

13. In an automatic telephone system, subscribers lines, selector switches individual to each of said lines, a connector switch,

stationary contacts associated with said connector switch, multiple conductors connecting said contact and said lines, and a call individual each of said lines serially connected in said conductors to reg ister incoming calls. 7

14:. In a telephone system, the combination with automatic switching means, of

subscribers lines connected thereto, a connector switch, stationary contacts associated with said connector switch, multiple conductors connecting said contacts and said lines, and a call register individual to eachv of said lines serially connected in said conductors to register incoming calls.

In witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name this ninth day of September,

. JACOB W. LATTIG. In witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name this 17th day of September, A. D.,1915.

CHARLES L. GOODRUM. 

